Boxing
Another blow dealt to the heavyweight division
SPRINGFIELD, New Jersey – The IBF confirmed it stripped British boxer Tyson Fury of its world heavyweight belt because his next fight is not against its mandatory challenger.
The International Boxing Federation says in a statement Wednesday that Fury was supposed to meet Vyacheslav Glazkov next, but couldn’t because Fury was contractually obligated to a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko.
The IBF said the contract it received didn’t have provision for a rematch, and if it had been aware of one, then it would have mandated a rematch only after a mandatory defense. If Klitschko and Fury had not agreed to that, then the IBF said it would not have sanctioned the title fight.
The IBF says Fury’s lawyers asked them to exercise discretion regarding the rules, but the IBF wasn’t willing.
Ali responds to Trump’s call to ban Muslims
WASHINGTON – Boxing legend Muhammad Aliis criticized Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States, calling on Muslims “to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda.”
Ali, one of the most famous Muslims in the world, says “the ruthless violence of so-called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.”
He says U.S. political leaders should help educate people about Islam and “clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is.”
Ali’s statement Wednesday does not identify Trump by name but is directed at “presidential candidates proposing to ban Muslim immigration to the United States.” He says they have “alienated many from learning about Islam.”
MLB
League wants new rules to protect infielders
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Major League Baseball hopes to push ahead with a rules change to better protect middle infielders from getting hurt by baserunners trying to prevent double-play turns at second base.
Joe Torre, MLB’s chief baseball officer, said Tuesday at the winter meetings that MLB will work to draft the rule in conjunction with the players’ association. Ahead of the 2014 season, MLB banned most home-plate collisions. Injuries at second base gained renewed focus after a hard slide by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley broke the leg of New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada during the NL Division Series.
Echoing what Commissioner Rob Manfred said at last month’s owners’ meeting, Torre said recommendations have been made to teams and owners about increased protective netting to guard fans from injuries from foul balls and bats that enter the stands.
Skiing
Top skier ready to push for a return to the slopes
VIENNA – Two-time overall champion Anna Fenninger expects to return to World Cup skiing for the first race of the 2016-17 season after a year-long injury layoff.
The Austrian skier was ruled out for up to 12 months after damaging her right knee in a training crash Oct. 21, three days before the season-opening giant slalom in Soelden.
The Olympic super-G champion had surgery on the medial collateral and the cruciate ligament as well as the patellar tendon. Austrian team doctor Christian Hoser said after the operation seven weeks ago that Fenninger would need nine to 12 months of recovery before getting back on skis.
The 26-year-old Fenninger won the overall title the past two seasons and earned gold in super-G and giant slalom at the world championships this year. She has won eight medals in total at Olympics and world championships and has won 14 World Cup races.
Associated Press
